According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, each year more than 2.35 million people in America are injured in car accidents. Most car accidents involve two cars but there are instances where more than one car is involved. Establishing liability under such circumstances can be a challenge and we advise getting your case evaluated by a New Bedford car accident lawyer near you.

Multi-car accidents can result in serious fatalities, injuries, and high payouts. There are often several victims who come forward to file for a car accident claim. Insurance companies have their own way of investigating claims to avoid getting defrauded.

What Causes Multi-Car Accidents?

1. Bad Weather Conditions

Slippery roads and poor visibility are some of the conditions that can turn an otherwise safe road into a disaster.

2. Driving Under the Influence

Driving under the influence doesn’t just involve driving while intoxicated with illegal drugs or alcohol; it also involves driving while under prescription drugs. Some prescription drugs are known to cause drowsiness or even impair judgment.

3. Overspeeding

Driving at a high speed leaves very little reaction time. Inability to hit the brakes in time due to overspeeding can set off a chain reaction that can result in serious injuries.

4. Police Chase

In high-speed police chases, either the police or the criminals can lose control of their cars. Fortunately, high-speed chases have been restricted to crimes involving serious felonies in many cities.

5. Distracted Driving

Texting while driving, loud music, eating, reading maps, and so on, can all lead to serious accidents.

Who Should be Held Responsible in a Multi-Car Accident?

Insurance companies will assign investigators when there are high-value car accident claims. It’s very rare for a driver to come forward and claim responsibility and even if they do, their insurer has a right to defend. This means they will have their own team of lawyers ready to dispute liability.

How Multi-Car Accidents are Investigated

It’s usually difficult to establish liability in a multi-car accident. At times liability might be on more than one driver. For starters, insurance companies will want to review the police report to determine if:

• One of the drivers was under the influence
• Any of the drivers had open bottles of alcohol or had drugs inside the car
• Any of the drivers failed to obey traffic rules such as stopping at a red light
• Any of the drivers didn’t have a valid drivers license

The insurance company will also have their own investigators interview witnesses, other drivers, and passengers. They will also look into information such as cell phone records, driving records, and arrest records. They will also take photographs and videos of the accident scene.

How to Establish Liability

This has to be the most complicated phase of a multi-car accident case. The driver who caused the accident might not be responsible for the subsequent chain of events that followed. You must also determine to what extent the other driver was involved.

In some instances, it might not be possible to establish liability. For instance, the driver might have lost consciousness due to a medical condition and lost control of the car. In such a case, no one will be held liable but you can still file a car accident claim with the driver’s insurance company.

The final phase of establishing liability involves evaluating your case and determining how much you are entitled to as compensation.

You will have to give your insurer access to your medical records, medical bills, the extent of your injuries, and the treatment that you received. They may also seek the services of expert witnesses such as car accident reconstruction experts to demonstrate how the accident happened. They may also hire an economic expert to demonstrate your current and future lost earnings if your injuries are permanent. A Car Accident Lawyer in New Bedford may have the resources needed to handle your case; including hiring an expert witness on your behalf.

Retain a Diligent New Bedford Car Accident Lawyer Experienced in Car Accident Litigation

At Kevin P Landry Law Offices, we pride ourselves on treating all our clients with diligence and compassion. We know what you are going through and we will ensure that our New Bedford car accident lawyer evaluates your case and gives you the best possible options for you to make an informed decision. To schedule your free initial consultation, call us now at 508-999-0800.